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About the course

During the study of the course you will follow a programme of professional development to enhance your teaching pedagogy, alongside placements within your partnership’s schools. During your placement you will have the opportunity to observe and teach over various key stages, in a variation of schools. You will attend Sheffield Hallam University during professional development days, where you will benefit from high quality sessions from research informed practise, who will also provide assignment and teaching support, with the lead school in the partnership providing bespoke training to meet your needs and develop your teaching pedagogy.

Every trainee must also undertake a short primary placement as part of their professional development during term, alongside observing SEND and EAL students. This will be undertaken at one of the partnership primary schools.

To support trainees knowledge development, it may be possible to undertake an SKE (Subject Knowledge Enhancement) which will be delivered by an outstanding practioner from across the partnership.

During the year trainees will complete 3 professional assignments, two of which are worth 30 master’s credits, gaining 60 in total. Upon completion of the course you will be awarded either QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) or QTS with PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education), both allow you to continue into the teaching profession.

As part of ongoing support, each trainee will benefit from a school-based mentor, academic tutor, and a university link who are all experienced, helpful and approachable.

Interview process

Once your application has been submitted via UCAS, the candidate will be invited to attend an interview at Penistone Grammar School.

As part of the interview process the candidate will be interviewed by the School Direct Lead alongside the Curriculum Strategic Leader for the chosen subject. It may also be possible a member of Sheffield Hallam University will attend the interview.

The interview will consist of;

formal interview

class based observation

group activity

If the candidate is successful, the place will on the condition the Maths and English Skills based tests are passed.

How school placements work

Each trainee undertakes 2 placements over 3 key stages (11-16 with additional post 16) and a primary placement during the year.

*Placement 1: Host school 1 (Term 1 & 2)

*Placement 2: Host School 2 (Term 3)

*Placement 3: Host School 1 (Term 4-6)

The partner schools include;

Penistone Grammar School

Honley High School

Colne Valley High School

Mirfield Free Grammar School

Spen Valley High

Fees

The course fees for 2019/2020 are as follows:

Student type

Fees to pay

UK students

£9,250

EU students

£9,250

Financial support

You could be eligible for either:

a scholarship of £22,000

a bursary of £20,000

With a scholarship or bursary, you’ll also get early career payments of £5,000 each in your third and fifth year of teaching (£7,500 in some areas of England).

To qualify for a scholarship you’ll need a degree of 2:1 or above in maths or a related subject. For a bursary you’ll need a 2:2 or above in any subject.

You can’t claim both a bursary and a scholarship - you can only claim one.

Applications with a 2:2 qualification or below are accepted but offer will depend on experience.

Once successful each applicant must pass the Professional Skills tests in numeracy and literacy before beginning the course.

Personal qualities

Do you have an engaging personality? High expectations? Good communication?

Then you could be the future of the teaching profession here at the Penistone Area Partnership.

About the training provider

The Penistone and Area Partnership is a fantastic place to work and learn. It provides a school-based learning opportunity in partnership with Sheffield Hallam University. This is an inspirational partnership of 12 primary schools and 5 secondary schools, many of which have achieved Good or better Ofsted ratings. This year PGS achieved their best results with 81% of students achieving a grade 4 or above in English and Maths, with 62% grade 5 or above. In Science, 86% of students achieved 2 passes at grade 4 or above and 33% achieving grade 7 or above in both, placing PGS in the top 20% of schools nationally. The success continued in A Level with 47% of students achieving A*/A, an ALPs score of 2, putting PGS in the top 5% of providers in the country.

The vision, shared by all the schools, is straightforward but powerful – ‘the highest standards of education and care for all’. We try to create an environment in which staff, pupils and trainee teachers feel valued and supported.

The schools in the partnership have all worked with trainee teachers for many years and fully recognise how much vibrancy, enthusiasm and drive they can offer to a school community. A School Direct placement with us will provide an excellent experience, fully equipping you to excel in your NQT year and beyond.

Training with disabilities and other needs

We consider applications from everyone, if you wish to discuss your application further please don’t hesitate to contact the partnership.

Support and advice

Get support and advice about teaching

Register with Get into Teaching, the Department for Education’s free support and advice service, for personalised guidance from teaching experts. They can help you to prepare your application, book school experience, and access exclusive teaching events. You can also call them free on 0800 389 2500, or speak to an adviser using their online chat service, from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday.

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